Is "The Bird Cage" homophobic?

[latebloomer]

It's one of my favorite movies, and, as I watched it for the umpteenth time on AMC last week, there was a running commentary on the screen that stated that a lot of gay groups were up in arms about the stereotypes it depicts.

Nathan Lane's comment-"So there's no such thing as an effeminate homosexual man?"

What do you guys think?

[Midlodemocrat]

1. La Cage Aux Folles? I never thought so, but I'm not gay.

ONe of my favorite movies ever. I love how the son treats Nathan Lane's character like a parent.

[latebloomer]

5. Yes, it has the BEST family values!

One of the reasons I love it- plus it's so f#@*in funny!

I never get tired of it.

[MrCoffee]

2. It's perfect...I just never realized John Wayne walked like that.

[latebloomer]

6. Walk like a man!

Nathan Lane was priceless trying to imitate a hetero. He is such a good actor.

[Love Bug]

3. I'm not gay so y'all can take or leave my comments, but

that movie, and others like it like "To Wong Foo" are examples of movies designed to not make straights uncomfortable because the characters are so chaste in them. I'm not sayin' they need to shag like bunnies, but the only real affection shared between Nathan Lane and Robin Williams in that is when they hold hands at one point after signing the palimony agreements. Long-time married couples usually express a bit more affection than that during the course of the day, at least I hope so. However, I guess any movies made that show gay characters in a positive light is something. "To Wong Foo" is probably worse because everyone in that flick was a stereotype, and not just the drag queens. I found both movies entertaining, certainly, but in most ways divorced from the reality of what it must be like to be gay in our culture.

To answer the question: No, I wouldn't call Bird Cage homophobic but more homo-neutral.

Just my $.02 worth. YMMV!

[latebloomer]

7. Interesting

Never thought of it like that.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

4. I love that film

and no, I am not gay. But I love the characters.

Love them. It is a funny situation. I have known several gay men who are effeminate - It is what it is. The characters are funny and interesting.

[latebloomer]

8. one of the few movies

I have watched repeatedly. It always puts me in a good mood.

[SacredCow]

9. I never thought so....

I'm gay, but I can (and often do) laugh at stereotypes of gay culture- so long as it doesn't appear to be done out of hate. Granted, that's a matter of perception so yes- I probably laugh at things that may offend others. Case in point, the "Guitar Hero" episode of Southpark (where Stan and Kyle get to 1 million points, only to get the onscreen message, "Congratulations- you're fags!") ruffled some feathers, I know. But I found the juxtaposition to the "Guitar Hero" culture pretty funny. Given some of Southparks other references to GLBT issues, I just don't think it was meant as a dig to that community.

[latebloomer]

11. Well, that's the thing

"The Bird Cage" is very loving.

Plus it makes fun of fundy politicians.

[SacredCow]

12. Yeah- Birdcage is on another level...

Really, with Hagador Spartacus alongside of Nathan Lane's and Robin Williams' characters, it's kind of giving both the stereotypes that some expect, along with a tender and loving couple that the same people may NOT expect.

On edit, it's a lot like my living situation scarily enough.... :rofl:

[latebloomer]

14. Really?

Do you have a Spartacus? Can he cook?

[SacredCow]

18. Maybe I'M the Spartacus...

and I do cook!

[MotorCityMan]

17. I'm gay, also, and never cared for "The Birdcage"

Although it was pretty harmless, when I first saw it I thought it was just another excuse to laugh at the silly faggots. The musical was much better.

Off topic, I was also very impressed with the stage version of "Victor/Victoria". In the movie, James Gardner's character cannot admit his love for "Victor" until he finds out for sure that "he's" really a "she".

On stage, the character DOESN'T find out, has a great musical number ("King's Dilemma"), and admits his love while being unsure of the gender.

[terrya]

10. Nah. "The Birdcage" isn't the least bit homophobic.

I very much like it. Just the sight of Gene Hackman in drag alone is worth it. :-)

I never thought the original "La Cage Aux Folles" was homophobic. And the stage musical, written by an openly gay man, definitely wasn't.

[Midlodemocrat]

16. THe original with subtitles is still the funniest movie I've seen.

[carlyhippy]

13. Nathan lane makes the movie,,one of my favorites

Carly

[Taverner]

15. God no! It's just outdated.

It was a 90's movie based on 60's and 70's Gay Culture. Gay Culture, like any, changes.

When I watched it I thought: wow, these folks should be grandparents acting the way they do...